The suburban hamlet of Brighton is older than Rochester and offers homes from the late 19th century through the modern day. Due to the city of Rochester's gradual expansion over time, Brighton's shape has changed, and it currently lacks an established village center. However, it does have a vibrant commercial corridor called Twelve Corners, named after the triangular island formed at the intersection of three major roads. Brighton has its own highly ranked school system and three of the region's major universities are nearby.
According to the U.S. Census, Brighton's population in 2020 was 37,137, a slight increase from 2010. Major employers in town include education and health care. "Kodak used to be the biggest employer in the region, but now it's the University of Rochester, and it's on the cusp of Brighton," says Patrick Hastings, an associate broker with Howard Hanna with over 40 years of experience. The University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital are less than 4 miles away, and the hospital employs over 20,000 medical professionals, while the university has more than 30,000 workers. "If first responders want to be within minutes of the hospital, they can go to Brighton."
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.6 square miles.
A customer entering Core Life Eatery at Twelve Corners.
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Folks flock to the Twelve Corners for shopping and dining
The Twelve Corners are formed by Elmwood Avenue, Monroe Avenue and South Winton Road, creating a triangular intersection with shopping centers. Brighton locals can choose from various restaurants and enjoy everything from classic Rochester garbage plates to Indian food. A mile south on Monroe Avenue leads to the region's only Whole Foods, built in 2023.
Traders Joe's in Pittsford Plaza is close to Brighton.
Row of retail and restaurants at Twelve Corners.
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Bordered by Genesee Valley Park and Highland Park
Genesee Valley Park borders Brighton to the west. This 800-acre green space features two 18-hole golf courses, several hiking trails, playgrounds, and fields for baseball and soccer. In the snowy winters, cross-country skiing trails also become available in the park. Folks can access the Erie Canal Heritage Trail just off South Clinton Avenue. This trail allows hiking or bike access to the University of Rochester and is part of the much larger Empire State Trail, the largest multi-use trail in the country, stretching over 750 miles across New York.
Brighton Town Park, which circles a 12-acre pond, and Buckland Park both offer residents walking trails and a lodge for events and indoor gatherings. The Country Club of Rochester, one of the country's oldest private golf clubs, is also in Brighton. To the north is the popular Highland Park, a botanical garden with blooming meadows and the popular Lilac Festival in the spring. Brighton experiences four distinct seasons, with snowy upstate New York winters.
Aerial view of the Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park.
Boardwalk and main entrance to Corbett's Glen Nature Park.
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Range of single-family homes and condos from throughout the 20th century
Brighton homes range from $270,000 to $1 million, varying by square footage and age. Buyers will find a market of split-levels, ramblers, Cape Cods and midcentury modern condos. Hastings mentions that because of the broad age range of the developments, it's hard to find two homes that look alike. "There's an Old Brighton and a New Brighton, [with] not much room for brand new development," says Hastings. "Lots of elegant and unique options on the market." Brighton's median price for a single-family home is $368,700, lower than the national median. Recent crime statistics for Brighton are not readily available.
A bucolic autumn view of a Cape Cod home in Brighton.
There are many Ranch style homes on Highland Avenue in Brighton.
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The acclaimed Brighton Central School District
"Buyers are drawn to the highly rated school district; it's above and beyond statewide levels," says Hastings. Brighton Central School District serves the town and gets an A-plus from Niche. It's also ranked as the No. 2 best public school district in the greater Rochester area. Brighton is within a couple of miles of most of the region's large colleges, with Saint John Fisher University and Nazareth University to the southeast, the Rochester Institute of Technology to the southwest, and the University of Rochester to the north.
Brighton High School has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
Rochester Classical Academy provides private education in the neighborhood of
Cobbs Hill.
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Downtown Rochester is a quick drive from home
Brighton has ample access to major highways. Folks can take New York state Route 590 to reach Irondequoit's beaches and boat launches for Lake Ontario in minutes. Interstate 490 leads to Downtown Rochester in a few miles, while a 4-mile drive on Elmwood Avenue leads to the University of Rochester. Regional RTS buses stop along Monroe Avenue and Elmwood Avenue for public transit options. Locals are also just a 7-mile drive from the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights.
As one of the founders of CORE, Michael has created a culture that fosters a spirit of excellence, a passion for cultivating authentic relationships, and a commitment to integrity to help deliver exceptional results for his clients and agents. These ideals are more than just words to him. They are the cornerstone of his values and what makes him unique.
Knowing that the real estate industry can be frustrating, confusing, and challenging, Michael listens to his clients’ and agents’ needs and forms lasting partnerships with them to help them with their entire real estate journey.
Michael resides in Rochester with his amazing wife and three beautiful daughters. When he is not representing clients, Michael is usually fueling his entrepreneurial spirit, investing time in his other business ventures.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
